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Hey all,

I've been itching to build a small 40k force in the style of 3rd and 4th edition and have some space marines on order. I've sorted out a question regarding base size (going on 32's so they can advance into the future) but now comes the hardest part of 40k in my experience- what colour scheme should be used?

So far there's a few choices that are being debated on:

-Pre 5th ed Ultramarines: Poster boys rather than "everybody wants to be an ultra"
-Black Templars: Suffer not the witch to live! The 3 F's - Fire, Faith and Fury
-A gag chapter, playing on the older editions humour: Bisected yellow/pink for the garish chapter colour scheme
-Crimson fists: Caught red-handed as dark blue is a cinch to paint.
-Blood Ravens: The 3rd ed rulebook (w/ no minis) and Dawn of War got me into 40k...

What I'm looking for is something that's not too simple but nothing overly complicated for a scheme, as this is a pure "for fun" side project.

Suggestions are welcome as I'm horribly indecisive when it comes to colour schemes - it took me two years to settle on Blood Angels as the main 40k faction...

As for the force- so far there's a regular dread and 10 tacticals with plans on an assault terminator squad, the start collecting: SPEHHS MEHRENS box and perhaps a rhino/razorback to finalise everything.

My bias immediately takes me to Black Templars haha. Their colour scheme is a bit of a funny one of you ask me because it is more complex than I initially gave it credit for, but it was only ever as complicated as I wanted to make it. Crimson Fists and Blood Ravens are also a good choice as from what I've seen, they're not very complicated and they look fantastic.

I would avoid doing a gag colour scheme unless you were really enthusiastic about it. I would also personally avoid Ultramarines because they're a bit too generic and unexciting if you ask me. I have a friend who plays Ultramarines and the a lot of the most exciting stuff they've done is paint the interiors of their tanks (and left some parts unglued so you can see the inner workings). I know what they did is very good and cool, but IMO it could be infinitely better by a more exciting Chapter colour scheme.

Go Space Sharks! Not the new, gritty Carcharodons. The old school, fun and goofy Space Sharks. They have a cool scheme and are all about the older equipment. Sounds like a match made in heaven for you!

I thought about getting some space marines and painting them blue red yellow/orange and pink. Not all those on one guy but some blue, some red, some yellow and some pink and then draw designs on the tops and sides of the tanks.

2 words, not blue

You will thank me later

Angry Marines?



They do get their fair share of hate, though.

 Purifier wrote:
Angry Marines?



They do get their fair share of hate, though.

Bump!

You will be the bell of the ball with this army

too bad you cant actually model a figure like that without a good amount of green stuff.The "codex" they are from isnt official either.

Reavas wrote:

 Purifier wrote:
Angry Marines?



They do get their fair share of hate, though.

Bump!

You will be the bell of the ball with this army

When in doubt, choose Angry Marines. No other army gets to dual-wield Power Feet or has access to the dreaded Adamantine Two-by-Four With a Nail Through It.

Crimson Fists. Classic.

Angry marines are by in large the besy chapter.

Out of those, I'd go for Black Templars as depicted on the 3rd edition starter box



Sure, you've got your black-and-white base with metal bolters but there's actually a bunch of variation even within that as the red-trimmed veteran sergeant, white plasma devastator and white bolter marine show.



Other than those choices I'd vote for brown. Seriously, who even hears of brown marines? It's nice and neutral, great contrast for transfers or other paintwork.

You could go with rainbow marines by painting each marine a different color >.>

 Xerics wrote:
You could go with rainbow marines by painting each marine a different color >.>

Rainbow Warriors are a dark blue, with the multicolored helmet stripe.

 Xerics wrote:
too bad you cant actually model a figure like that without a good amount of green stuff.The "codex" they are from isnt official either.

Take an open hand grippy hand, clip one of the fingers off. Or, even better, if you have spares, the pointy finger hand.

Take a fist, carefully cut out the middle finger.

Glue.

Profit.



As far as the OP's question, can't go wrong with Ultramarines or Crimson Fists. With all the heraldry options, there are fun things you can do with Ultramarines too.

Also can't go wrong with Angry Marines if serious treatment of the fluff isn't your thing.

Crimson Fists like the cover of 3rd ed or the Wolf Brothers since they're one of the showcased chapters in the 3rd ed codex.

Hey all, thanks for replies!

A little tempted to go ultras due to all the "not blue" being said The retro bright blue with yellow just feels right. As much as I love the Angry Marines, they're a no from me- all that yellow is a little off putting, plus I don't think I'd get the theme right haha

Templars seem like a cool option- the upgrade sprue is still a thing and the Emp's champ model has an awesome pose.

Damnit I'm still stuck on this

CRIMSON FISTS! All other chapters want to be us anyway.

Blue and red people who who almost got their bums handed to them by green people? Or zealous crusaders doing the Emperor's will? Hmmmmmmm....... haha

Carcharodons.

Grey, Black, Gold, Silver, and what ever dark (or bright) colors you want to thrown in their

 IllumiNini wrote:
Blue and red people who who almost got their bums handed to them by green people? Or zealous crusaders doing the Emperor's will? Hmmmmmmm....... haha

During the Rynn's World Campaign, three quarters of the chapter was wiped out, yet the Fists still repelled a full Ork invasion force. And after being nearly wiped out in the Rynn's World Campaign, the Crimson Fists were already sending troops to the Zeist Campaign only nine years later. Because Crimson Fists do not feth around.

 casvalremdeikun wrote:

 IllumiNini wrote:
Blue and red people who who almost got their bums handed to them by green people? Or zealous crusaders doing the Emperor's will? Hmmmmmmm....... haha

During the Rynn's World Campaign, three quarters of the chapter was wiped out, yet the Fists still repelled a full Ork invasion force. And after being nearly wiped out in the Rynn's World Campaign, the Crimson Fists were already sending troops to the Zeist Campaign only nine years later. Because Crimson Fists do not feth around.

I am well aware of the CFs achievements; and the BTs dont feth around either

 IllumiNini wrote:

 casvalremdeikun wrote:

 IllumiNini wrote:
Blue and red people who who almost got their bums handed to them by green people? Or zealous crusaders doing the Emperor's will? Hmmmmmmm....... haha

During the Rynn's World Campaign, three quarters of the chapter was wiped out, yet the Fists still repelled a full Ork invasion force. And after being nearly wiped out in the Rynn's World Campaign, the Crimson Fists were already sending troops to the Zeist Campaign only nine years later. Because Crimson Fists do not feth around.

I am well aware of the CFs achievements; and the BTs dont feth around either

See that's the thing- Chapter that does not muck about vs another chapter that does not muck about = :/

I'm leaning towards the Fists, if only that I don't need to fork out for the upgrade sprue and can have librarians..

http://ritualist.deviantart.com/art/Nutcase-Marine-Chapter-2-268486758

Ok, so it's down to Templars or Crimson fists-

Regarding the Black Templars:

-Does each and every member need the tabards or can I get away with just vets/sergeants?
-Do I need to use the upgrade sprue weapons on all members or just as needed to spice up squads with Templary goodness?

The tabards I tend to only use on Marines who don't have a weapon held kver their chest. For example, I did a Crusader Squad which was all melee and all the Initiates and the Sword Brother had a tabard. But I did another Crusader Squad that was all ranged weaponry, and none of them had tabards. But it's up to you; that's just the way I do it.

As gor using the upgrade sprue, I use it on every soldier because it's good to have the BT-themed shoulder pads, but also the weapons you get on the sprues have chains in them (which is just one of those things the BTs do). So I'd go with weapons from the sprue (if you can), 1x BT-themed shoulder pad, and tabards for all the soldiers with melee weapon combos and/or soldiers that don't havs their weapon(s) slung across their front.

You don't need to use tabards or upgrade sprues at all. Use them for the units or individual models you feel should have them.